Report: Ortiz vs. Henderson not happening at UFC 78

Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer reported on the newsletter’s website that a rumored main event between Dan Henderson vs. Tito Ortiz at UFC 78 is not happening and that the UFC is still aiming for a bout between Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans on the card:

Regarding rumors going around of a Tito Ortiz vs. Dan Henderson fight on 11/17 in Newark, NJ, there is nothing to it. It was something discussed, but not all that seriously. Right now the expected main event for the show is Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans, but Ortiz is playing hardball when it comes to signing.

The Ortiz vs. Evans rematch is not as appealing as the UFC thinks. I myself would rather see Ortiz fight Henderson. I think Henderson vs. Ortiz would be a more interesting fight than Evans. The rematch is gonna bomb, wait and see!

I’m definatey not looking forward to this PPV, theres just not a marquee draw there. Sure I like Frankie Edgar but come on, and Tito vs Rashad II? Thats your main event? Maybe the UFC is starting to spread it self to thin. I definately don’t want to keep paying $40 for cards that don’t have title fights on them and that are headlined but Tito Ortiz? Don’t get me wrong, tito has been around for a while but do they really think they can use him to sell a PPV to anyone anymore?

When you basically have a PPV every month and only 5 weight divisions you are going to have PPV events without title fights. That’s inevitable, especially with injuries and/or suspensions(Sherk) that may lessen the available title fights. In that way they are spread to thin if you expect a title fight every PPV card.

Fighter wise overall they have a ton of fighters. I personally have always thought they have wasted some good matchups on the Fight Night and TUF Finale shows that would have been better off for the paying customer on the PPV shows. I have no problem with having one big fight on the Spike shows and then up-and-comers and TUF guys but they often have matchups that could easily fill PPV shows, even on undercards of the Spike shows.

[…] it looks like Tito knows he’s the UFC’s saving grace on this card and is playing hardball on signing any fight: Right now the expected main event for the show is Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans, but Ortiz is playing […]

There’s no way I will be spending any money to see this card if it doesn’t shape up anytime soon. Luckily there is a local restaurant that airs the UFC PPV’s at individual flatscreen TV’s at each table so I can save my money and still see if anything interesting happens if I decide to watch. Dana is out of his mind if he thinks the east coast enthusiasts care about Ortiz-Evans II.

Brandt, I don’t think the UFC is setting up this event as something and avid mma fan would be interested in greatly. They probably figure that people from the NYC/NewJersey/Philly area will come out in great numbers just to see a UFC event now that it has become so popular. Along with several east coast fighters rumored to be on the card, they also have Gono and Chonan rumored which makes good sense in a large asian market like this area. Then Ortiz, whom to a casual observer is still a recognizable name. Not a big time card but it makes sense to the area, just not the ppv numbers.

[…] rumored card for UFC 78 on Nov. 17 in Newark, NJ has been posted several times on FiveOuncesOfPain.com and thus far the responses haven’t been all that positive. But I need to speak up because I […]